Method of making a label sheet

ABSTRACT

A label sheet label sheet includes a transparent film support material, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a release layer, a printable layer, one or more first detachment lines, and one or more second detachment lines. The transparent film support material has an inner surface and an outer surface. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed over the transparent film support material inner surface. The release layer is disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The printable layer is disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and includes an inner surface facing the release layer and an opposing outer surface. The outer surface exhibits a roughness of 4 to 50 μm (DIN 4768). The one or more first detachment lines extend from the printable layer outer surface and through the printable layer and the release layer, to thereby form a first sub-region. The one or more second detachment lines extend from the support material outer surface and through the support material and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, to thereby form a second sub-region that is larger than the first sub-region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/298,144 entitled “LABEL SHEET”, filed Dec. 9, 2005, which claimspriority to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/EP2004/006324 entitled “ALABEL SHEET”, filed Jun. 11, 2004, which claims priority to GermanPatent Application No. DE 103 26 298.9, filed on Jun. 11, 2003. All ofthese documents are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a label sheet, a label produced therefrom and amethod of producing the label from the label sheet.

BACKGROUND

Inkjet desktop and laser printers are widely used to individually printpaper materials. These printers do, however, suffer from the drawbackthat the inks may fade with time and may offer only limited resistanceto water, dirt, chemicals, UV radiation, and mechanical impact. As aresult, such printed materials may be unsuitable for long-termapplications either indoors or outdoors. Moreover, if exposed to air fora fairly long period of time, paper labels can become discolored, withthe paper typically turning yellow.

To make materials, such as labels that have been printed by means of aninkjet desktop or laser printer, suitable for long-term applications,methods are being sought that improve the resistance of the label andits imprint with respect to the aforementioned possible influences.

To enhance a label's resistance to water, special-purpose inkjetcoatings can be applied to paper. Such coatings may also simultaneouslyimprove the quality of printing. Such an approach, however may notachieve a degree of water resistance that would permit use outdoors.Moreover, light resistance is typically not enhanced by thespecial-purpose coating. In consequence, an indoor or outdoorapplication which lasts several months usually causes the inks to fadeto such an extent that it may no longer be possible to read or todiscern the indicia printed thereon.

The resistance of materials can also be improved by lamination using afilm. For example, DE 1 296 363 describes a process in which a sheet ofpaper, while being heated, is bonded to a flexible, tough andtransparent plastic film by means of an adhesive coating on that side ofthe plastic film which faces towards the sheet of paper. This kind ofplastic film is resistant to solvents, such as acetone, carbontetrachloride and heptane, and is resistant to degradation when exposedto water. However, the process can suffer from the disadvantage that thelamination technique can be relatively complicated and the plasticcoating typically first has to be activated at 50° C. to 85° C. beforebonding occurs.

In addition, it is known that pigmented inks should be used in the caseof industrial printers in order to enhance the resistance of the inks tolight. Nonetheless, the use of such pigmented inks, apart from the colorblack, has so far not been feasible in inkjet desktop printers.

Furthermore, DE 40 03 129 describes a styrene-based film that contains abenzophenone type or benzotriazole type ultraviolet (UV) absorber and/ora sterically hindered amine type light stabilizer. The products are freeof fish-eye gel, do not discolor in conditions of humid heat, can bereadily printed and are resistant to weathering. Nevertheless, there isthe disadvantage that styrene-based films typically can be printed onlyby using a special-purpose printing ink for polystyrene, and not byusing commercially available inkjet desktop or laser printers.

It is, moreover, known in principle that a label's resistance can beimproved by lamination using a transparent film. Nevertheless, this kindof lamination is typically relatively complicated because the label andthe film are present as separate sheets or rolls and the film istypically tailored to the size of the label in an additional proceduralstage. Since, moreover, lamination may take place on the basis of avisual estimation, it is frequently the case that the label is bondedlopsidedly with the film, which detracts from the appearance of theresultant laminated label. Typically, it is not possible to repositionthe film because once bonded with the surface of a paper label, theadhesive may stick tightly and inhibit the film from being peeled offagain. Additionally, large-format labels, in particular, suffer from theproblem that during bonding, air bubbles or pockets may form between thelabel and the laminating film; such air pockets likewise can cause thelabel to look unattractive.

To permit a label to be laminated with a film in as positionallyaccurate a manner as possible, the Nichiban company developed a labelsheet in which the label and the transparent laminating film areintegrated within a single sheet. This label sheet comprises thefollowing layers: laminating film, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer,release layer, paper layer. The label sheet further comprises punchlines, by means of which sub-regions the size of a label are formed. Thesub-regions that are formed in the paper layer, including the releaselayer, are smaller than the sub-regions formed in the laminating film,including the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the latter protrudingover the former at the edges. To laminate a label, the sub-regioncorresponding to the label is removed from the paper layer and, havingbeen turned upside down, re-affixed into the resultant window onto thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer, thereby causing the printable layerto be bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. Afterwards, thesub-region of the laminating film, together with the stuck-on label, isremoved from the label sheet. The laminating film's protruding edges,which project over the stuck-on label, cause the composite to be in turnaffixed to any kind of object.

Nichiban's above-described label sheet, while generally useful, doessuffer from the drawback that typically only relatively small labels canbe bonded effectively in this way. Larger labels are faced with theproblem that, during lamination, air pockets may be trapped between thelabel and the laminating film, which can detract from the appearance ofthe resultant laminated label. Furthermore, it is typically not possibleto re-adjust the position of a paper label once it has been stuck on.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0011306 describes adhesivelabels which provide areas of non-adhesive material within the adhesivelayer to allow the removal of entrapped air pockets. For the samereason, the adhesive layer may be provided with a Sheffield-roughness ofat least 10 units or at least 70 units or at least 150 units.

German Patent Application Publication DE 197 24 648 A1 describes aself-adhesive area-measured product comprising a substrate, a non-stickcoating on the upper side of the substrate, and an adhesive coating onthe underside of the substrate, and being characterized in that theadhesive coating is present in the form of a pattern and that the upperside of the substrate having the non-stick coating has a roughness of atleast 1 μm (measured according to ISO 8791-4).

Hence, there is a need for a label sheet that can be used to laminatelabels with a film in a simple, effective, and accurate manner, suchthat the labels are made resistant, for example to light, UV radiation,ozone, dirt, water, chemicals and mechanical impact, and are thus suitedto long-term application both indoors and outdoors. There isadditionally a need for labels that are relatively free of entrapped airpockets between the laminating film and the printable layer,particularly whenever large-format A4 or A3 labels are used. There isalso a need to be able to reposition the laminating film if so desired.The present invention addresses one or more of these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, and by way of example only, a label sheet includes atransparent film support material, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer,a release layer, a printable layer, one or more first detachment lines,and one or more second detachment lines. The transparent film supportmaterial has an inner surface and an outer surface. Thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed over the transparent filmsupport material inner surface. The release layer is disposed over thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The printable layer is disposed overthe pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and includes an inner surfacefacing the release layer and an opposing outer surface. The outersurface exhibits a roughness of 4 μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768). The one ormore first detachment lines extend from the printable layer outersurface and through the printable layer and the release layer, tothereby form a first sub-region. The one or more second detachment linesextend from the support material outer surface and through the supportmaterial and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, to thereby form asecond sub-region that is larger than the first sub-region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents a label sheet, the printable layer of which has aporous upper side, and

FIG. 2 represents a laminated label produced from the label sheet ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a label sheet according to theinvention; this label sheet has a transparent backing material (10), apressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12), a release layer (14), a PET film(44), a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (42) and a printable layer(16). A porous coating (40) that exhibits a roughness in the range of 4μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768) is applied to the upper side (17) of theprintable layer. The label sheet comprises first and second detachmentlines (18, 20), thereby forming partial areas (19, 21). The firstpartial area includes the release layer (14), the PET film (44), thepressure-sensitive adhesive layer (42), and the printable layer (16)coated with the porous layer (40), and the second partial area (21)includes the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12) and the transparentfilm (10). The second partial area (21) is larger than the first partialarea (19). A repositionable adhesive is preferably used as the adhesivein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12).

During the lamination step, the first partial region (19) is cut out ofthe label sheet and, having been turned upside down, is bonded into theresultant window onto the uncovered pressure-sensitive adhesive layer(12), with the result that the porous layer (40) now directly adjoinsthe pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12). The roughness of the porouslayer (40) gives rise to non-adhesive regions or channels between theporous layer (40) and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12),thereby removing entrapped air pockets.

Separating the thus bonded partial areas (19, 21) from the label sheetproduces a label whose structure is depicted in FIG. 2: transparentlaminating film (10′), pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12′), porouscoating (40′), printable layer (16′), pressure-sensitive adhesive layer(42′), PET film (44′), release layer (14′).

Instead of a porous coating (40), use can also be made of a printablelayer (16) that already has a rough surface, for example a paper whichnaturally has a roughness in the range indicated above or a roughnessproduced by embossing.

The label sheet may be of any one of numerous sizes, though itpreferably has the size of an A4 or A3 format.

The transparent film in the label sheet preferably has the function of abacking material and acts as a protective laminate within the label thatcan be produced from the label sheet, thereby protecting the layerslocated therebelow from moisture.

It is noted that, after lamination of the printable layer (16) with thetransparent film (10), non-adhesive regions are formed between thelaminating film and the printable layer either by applying thepressure-sensitive adhesive (12) in the form of a pattern or by using aprintable layer which has a roughness of 4 μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768) on itsupper side. These non-adhesive regions are able to move any air bubblesthat are inevitably trapped between the laminating film and printablelayer during the laminating stage towards the edges of the laminate, forexample by manually smoothing them out.

Any one of numerous known films can be used as the transparent backingmaterial (10). To enable the label sheet to be printed using a laserprinter, the transparent film should be heat-resistant, such aspolymethyl pentene (TPX®, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Japan) or polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) films. A PET film is particularly preferred for useas a transparent film. The transparent film preferably has a thicknessof 26 μm to 200 μm, with particular preference for 50 μm.

The transparent film may include known HALS compounds (“hindered aminelight stabilizers”) for the purpose of stabilization. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, moreover, the transparent film is UV-stabilized,i.e. it contains one or more UV-absorbing components. Such UV-absorbingcomponents are known to the person skilled in the art and may, forexample, be benzophenone or benzotriazole compounds.

The term “printable layer” is defined as a layer that can be printedusing an inkjet desktop printer or laser printer. The printable layer ispreferably an uncoated paper, an uncoated cardboard or a paper orcardboard coated with an inkjet or laser printer coating. The paper orcardboard preferably has a grammage of 70 g/m² to 200 g/m².

The release layer (14) is located between the printable layer (16) andthe pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12). The release layer ispreferably a silicone layer. To stop the print quality from beingimpaired due to the migration of silicone while the release layer (14)is being applied to the back of the printable layer (16), it ispreferable to bond the underside of the printable layer (16) to the PETfilm (44). Then, the PET film (44) is coated with the release layer(14). Alternatively, it is possible to use a pre-siliconized PET film aswell, i.e. one that is coated with a release layer.

The detachment lines (18, 20) are applied such as to form thesub-regions (19, 21). These sub-regions (19, 21) may be polygonal, e.g.quadratic or rectangular, round or oval. Preferably, the seconddetachment line (20) protrudes over the first detachment line (18)preferably by 5% to 50%, with particular preference for 10% to 30%. Thismeans that the second sub-regions (21) are larger than the firstsub-regions (19). The detachment lines (18, 20) may be a sectional,punched or perforated line. Particularly in the case of the secondsub-regions (21) the detachment lines (20) may also correspond to theouter edges (22, 24) of the label sheet. If all the second detachmentlines (20) correspond to the outer edges (22, 24) of the label sheet,the second partial area (21) is the same size as the label sheet itself.In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the second sub-region (21)has the size of an A3 or A4 format. The first sub-region (19) is then10% to 30% smaller.

The label sheet as specified by the invention comprises a layer ofpressure-sensitive adhesive. In certain applications, the adhesive mayalso be of the heat-activated type. The pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer usually has a thickness of 10 μm to 125 μm, preferably approx. 25μm to approx. 75 μm or 10 μm to approx. 50 μm, the specific thicknessbeing dependent on the actual application. In one embodiment, the weightof the pressure-sensitive adhesive coating ranges from approx. 10 g/m²to approx. 50 g/m² and in a preferred embodiment from approx. 20 g/m² to35 g/m². The pressure-sensitive adhesive may be any knownpressure-sensitive adhesive. This type of adhesive includes rubber-basedpressure-sensitive adhesives, acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives,vinyl ether pressure-sensitive adhesives, silicone adhesives andmixtures of two or more thereof. Such pressure-sensitive adhesivematerials are described in “Adhesion and Bonding”, Encyclopaedia ofPolymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 1, pages 476-576, IntersciencePublishers, 2nd edition, 1985. Suitable pressure-sensitive adhesivematerials contain a polymer as a principal constituent, for instanceacrylic type polymers, block copolymers, natural or recovered rubbers,styrene butadiene rubbers, random ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymers,ethylene vinyl acrylic terpolymers, polyisobutylene poly(vinyl ethers)etc. The pressure-sensitive adhesive materials are typicallycharacterized by their glass transition temperatures ranging fromapprox. −70° C. to approx. +10° C.

In addition to the aforementioned resins, other materials may be presentin the pressure-sensitive adhesive materials. These includeantioxidants, filler materials, pigments, waxes etc. The adhesivematerials may contain a mixture of solid tackifying resins and liquidtackifying resins. Particularly preferred pressure-sensitive adhesivesare described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,612 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,766.

Particular preference is given to the use of an adhesive which does notunfold its full adhesive strength until after 1 min to 5 min, so as toenable the affixed partial area of the printable/printed layer to berepositioned. This type of adhesive includes low-temperature adhesivesand is known in principle to the person skilled in the art.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive can be applied by using standard coatingtechniques, such as curtain coating, gravure coating, reverse gravureprinting, offset gravure printing, roller coating printing, brushing,knife-over-roll coating, air-brush roller coating, metering-rollercoating, reverse roll coating, roller coating with bottom-action doctorblade, immersion, jet coating, spraying and the like. The use of thesecoating techniques is well known and can be performed effectively by aperson skilled in the art. Further information on coating techniques isto be found in “Modern Coating and Drying Technology”, by Edward Cohenand Edgar Gutoff, published by VCH Verlag, 1992.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, conventional UV blockers maybe present in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

The light-absorbing components contained in the transparent film and/orthe pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and/or the non-adhesive materialbring about a substantial improvement of the light resistance of animprint that was applied to the printable layer by means of an inkjetdesktop printer or laser printer.

An alternative embodiment of the label sheet according to the inventionis characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer exists inthe form of a pattern. The pattern-like coating of pressure-sensitiveadhesive itself gives rise to non-adhesive regions, i.e. non-adhesivechannels. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is present in the form of dotsor lines, whereby attention should be paid to the fact that channelswhich extend as far as the edge of the sub-regions, i.e. as far as thedetachment lines, are formed, without any adhesive, by the pattern, soas to ensure the repositioning of any air pockets that might have beentrapped between the printable layer and the transparent film afterlamination.

The resultant patterns are referred to as dot patterns, line patterns(also designated as dash patterns) or net-like patterns. Dot or linepatterns are preferred.

The above-described type of pressure-sensitive adhesive is used as apressure-sensitive adhesive. In this case, as well, particularpreference is given to the use of an adhesive that permitsrepositioning. Furthermore, adhesive dispersions such as aqueousdispersions, organisols or plastisols can be used. Dispersions that havea solids content of at least 45% by weight are taken as a basis.(Meth)acrylate esters having C₄-C₁₂ alkyl radicals are preferably chosenas a dispersion for application of the pressure-sensitive adhesive.Amounts of acrylonitrile or acrylamides as well as crosslinker additivessuch as N-methylol acrylamide or glycidyl methacrylate, in combinationwith hydroxyl-group carrying or polyfunctional (meth)acrylate esters,for instance butanediol bis-acrylate, are able to enhance the cohesionor stability of the dispersion of a plastisol or organisol. Part of themethacrylate ester can, moreover, be replaced by copolymerizablecompounds such as vinyl acetate or vinyl propionate. In addition, smallamounts (up to approx. 12%) of (meth)acrylic acid and/or othercopolymerizable acids such as itaconic acid, fumaric acid or maleic acidcan be included in the polymer. Furthermore, one or more known UVblockers can be added to the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive pattern can be applied by way offlexographic, screen or gravure printing. In the case of screenprinting, by means of which a dot pattern is preferably produced, it ispossible to use a flat screen or a revolving screen (rotary screenprinting).

The pressure-sensitive adhesive is present in a pattern of 12 lines/cmsubstrate to 80 lines/cm substrate, particularly 24 lines/cm substrateto 50 lines/cm substrate. It is well known that the shape of the patternelements, such as diameter and height of the dots or lines, and hencethe adhesive forces are chiefly influenced by the following factors:type of coating process, parameters affecting the coating process (e.g.mesh size and depth in the case of screen printing) and any physicalparameters affecting the compound that is applied (e.g. hot-meltadhesive or dispersion adhesive), particularly its viscosity andthixotropy.

In this embodiment, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferablyapplied with a grammage of 5 g/m² to 20 g/m² (particularly 8 g/m² to 15g/m²).

The roughness of the printable layer can be generated mechanically, forexample by embossing, or by chemically modifying the surface of theprintable layer, for example by applying a porous layer. Inkjet or“microporous” coatings that are known to the skilled person can bementioned here as examples of such a porous coating.

In accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the label sheetaccording to the invention, the upper side of the printable layer has aroughness of 4 μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768), preferably 10 μm to 25 μm. If theupper side of the printable layer has a roughness in the above-mentionedrange, non-adhesive regions/channels are produced between the printablelayer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer during laminationwhenever the rough surface is bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesivelayer. In turn, these non-adhesive regions/channels cause any entrappedair pockets to be smoothed out towards the edges.

It is self-evident that the aforementioned embodiments can be combinedtogether as well, for example, that the printable material is roughenedon both the upper and lower sides.

If the label sheet depicted in FIG. 1 and described above is used, alabel can be made by means of the following technique:

-   -   (a) separating the first partial area (19) from the label sheet,    -   (b) affixing the separated first partial area (19) to the        pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12) at the same site in the        label sheet at which the first partial area (19) was previously        separated,    -   (c) separating the label comprising the second partial area (21)        and the first partial area (19) from the label sheet.

In the above-described method of producing the label, the transparentfilm (14) simultaneously fulfills the function of a backing material inthe label sheet. The printable layer (16) and transparent film (14) aretherefore integrated within a single label sheet. This embodiment isadvantageous because handling is very simple and it is not necessary touse two separate sheets, a label sheet and a laminating film sheet, whenthe label is being made. Furthermore, after the first partial area (19)has been separated, the resultant window gives rise in step (b) to acentering aid, which enables the printable layer (16) to be laminatedwith the film (10) in a positionally accurate manner. Moreover, anyunwanted air pockets can be removed as a result of the application ofthe pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (12) in the shape of a pattern oras a result of the use of a printable layer (16) that exhibits aroughness of 4 μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768) on its upper side. This isparticularly preferable whenever large-format laminated labels are to beproduced, for example with A4 or A3 format.

Specific structural designs for the label sheet, in which use is made ofa printable layer (16) that has a rough surface, which as a result ofthe coating (40), are described below.

A structure for signs preferably comprises layers in the followingsequence:

-   -   transparent film: 50-μm PET film    -   permanent repositionable adhesive, coated all over    -   release layer: silicone layer    -   36-μm PET film    -   permanent adhesive    -   printable layer: 70 g/m² laser and inkjet compatible material        having a Sheffield roughness (ISO/DIN 8791-3) of 85 units.

An A4 sheet is produced using the structure indicated above. Detachmentlines (18) are applied to the printable layer (16) so as to produce twopartial areas (19) (labels) that are 150 mm×100 mm in size. Detachmentlines (20) are also applied to the transparent film, thereby obtainingtwo partial areas (21) 180 mm×130 mm in size. A laminated sign 150mm×100 mm in size can be produced therefrom. The backing film (10) jutsout by 15 mm all around the printable label.

Of course, any one of numerous other formats can be produced as well.

A structure for photograph labels preferably comprises layers in thefollowing sequence:

-   -   transparent film: 50-μm PET film    -   permanent repositionable adhesive, coated all over    -   silicone layer    -   36-μm PET film    -   permanent adhesive    -   printable area: 90 g/m² inkjet-coated paper having a Sheffield        roughness (ISO/DIN 8791-3) of 40 units.

An A4 sheet is produced using the structure indicated above. Detachmentlines (18) are applied to the printable layer (16) so as to produce twopartial areas (19) (labels) that are 150 mm×100 mm in size. Detachmentlines (20) are also applied to the transparent film, thereby obtainingtwo partial areas (21) 180 mm×130 mm in size. A laminated sign 150mm×100 mm in size can be produced therefrom. The backing film (10) jutsout by 15 mm all around the printable label.

Of course, any one of numerous other formats can be produced as well.

The label sheets discussed herein can be used, for example, to makesigns or photographic labels or any of numerous other label types.

1-12. (canceled) 13: A method of making a label, the method comprising the steps of: providing a label sheet comprising: a transparent film support material having an inner surface and an outer surface, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed over the transparent film support material inner surface, a release layer disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a printable layer disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the printable layer having an inner surface facing the release layer and an opposing outer surface, the outer surface exhibiting a roughness of 4 μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768), one or more first detachment lines extending from the printable layer outer surface and through the printable layer and the release layer, to thereby form a first sub-region, and one or more second detachment lines extending from the transparent film support material outer surface and through the transparent film support material and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, to thereby form a second sub-region that is larger than the first sub-region; separating the first sub-region from the label sheet; coupling the separated first sub-region to the second sub-region, such that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed over the printable layer outer surface; and separating the coupled first and second sub-regions from the label sheet. 14: The method of claim 13, wherein: the label sheet includes one or more edges; and the one or more second lines of detachment are defined by the one or more edges of the label sheet. 15: The method of claim 13, wherein one or both of the transparent film support material or the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprise a light-absorbing component. 16: The method of claim 13, wherein the printable layer outer surface exhibits a roughness of 10 μm to 25 μm. 17: The method of claim 13, wherein the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed in a pattern form that defines adhesive-free channels. 18: The method of claim 17, wherein: the label sheet includes one or more edges; and the adhesive-free channels extend to the one or more edges. 19: The method of claim 13, wherein: the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer defining a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; the label sheet further comprises: a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film disposed between the release layer and the printable layer, and a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed between the PET film and the printable layer; the one or more first detachment lines extends from the printable layer outer surface and through the printable layer, the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the PET film, and the release layer, to thereby form the first sub-region; and the coupling step includes coupling the separated first sub-region to the second sub-region, such that the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed over the printable layer's outer surface. 20: A method of making a label sheet, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet comprising: a printable layer having a first surface and a second surface, a release layer disposed on the printable layer's first surface, a transparent film, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the transparent film, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer releasably adhering the transparent film to the release layer; forming at least one first detachment line through the printable layer and the release layer to define a first partial area that includes a portion of the printable layer; and forming at least one second detachment line through the transparent film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to define a second partial area that includes a portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; wherein: the second partial area is larger than the first partial area, the first partial area is configured to be separated from the label sheet and affixed to the second partial area, with the portion of the printable layer of the first partial area directly adjoining the portion of the pressure-sensitive layer of the second partial area, and at least one of the printable layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is configured to facilitate the removal of unwanted air pockets from the affixed first partial area and the second partial area. 21: The method of claim 20, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is in the shape of a pattern. 22: The method of claim 20, wherein the second surface of the printable layer exhibits a roughness of 4 μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768). 23: The method of claim 20, wherein: the label sheet includes edges; and the at least one second detachment line corresponds to an edge of the label sheet. 24: The method of claim 20, wherein: the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer defines a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; the sheet further comprises: a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film between the printable layer and the release layer, and a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer between the PET film and the printable layer; and the step of forming the at least one first detachment line results in the at least one first detachment line extending through the printable layer, the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the PET film, and the release layer, and the at least one first detachment line defines a first partial area that includes a portion of the printable layer. 